MCP vs SFT
MCP (Model Context Protocol) and SFT (Supervised Fine-Tuning) both come up in ai & ml conversations and get confused. Here's the plain-English difference, side by side, so you can use each one with confidence.
The key difference: MCP refers to model context protocol, while SFT refers to supervised fine-tuning — they describe different things even when they show up in the same sentence.
MCP — Model Context Protocol
An open standard that lets AI models connect to tools and data sources through a common interface. MCP is to AI integrations what USB was to peripherals — one plug, many tools.
SFT — Supervised Fine-Tuning
Training a base model on curated input-output pairs to specialize its behavior. SFT is where most domain models actually get their personality — long before RLHF cleans up the rough edges.
When to use MCP
Reach for "MCP" when the conversation is specifically about model context protocol. An open standard that lets AI models connect to tools and data sources through a common interface. MCP is to AI integrations what USB was to peripherals — one plug, many tools.
When to use SFT
Reach for "SFT" when the conversation is specifically about supervised fine-tuning. Training a base model on curated input-output pairs to specialize its behavior. SFT is where most domain models actually get their personality — long before RLHF cleans up the rough edges.
FAQs
What is the difference between MCP and SFT?
MCP stands for Model Context Protocol — An open standard that lets AI models connect to tools and data sources through a common interface. MCP is to AI integrations what USB was to peripherals — one plug, many tools. SFT stands for Supervised Fine-Tuning — Training a base model on curated input-output pairs to specialize its behavior. SFT is where most domain models actually get their personality — long before RLHF cleans up the rough edges.
Are MCP and SFT the same thing?
No. They're often used in the same conversation because they're related, but they describe different concepts. MCP = Model Context Protocol. SFT = Supervised Fine-Tuning.
When should I use MCP vs SFT?
Use MCP when you're specifically referring to model context protocol. Use SFT when the topic is supervised fine-tuning.